Monday, July 10, 2006

Friday- Day One: Bloggers Invade the MGM

I'll start by saying if you didn't make it to Vegas for the Bloggers Summer Classic you missed out on a fantastic time. For those who have been to this event before you know what I'm talking about but if you've never been you need to do whatever it takes to make the next one. Bonus whore, save all your loose change, rob a bank, max your credit card, let your gal bang George Clooney, do whatever it takes but get your ass out to Vegas.

Having the extreme benefit of living in the greatest city on the planet, no not New York I'm talkin' Vegas baby, I've been able to meet a few select bloggers during their trips here the past few months. Now these select few are the bloggers who regularly play in the weekly events like The MATH or The Mookie, kind of the new-school crew. So since I've only lived in Vegas for just over four months and only meeting a few bloggers what better way than having 100+ of these maniacs all show up on your doorstep for a weekend of non-stop partying and poker.

My weekend started Friday afternoon when I met my good friend and fantastic blogger Iak for lunch at the MGM. After our meal we headed over to the fish tank to devirginize our boy for his first action at live casino poker. Luckily we got a seat at the same table which gave me the pleasure to observe the man and his moves and true to form it was a rather fitting experience. Right to the point, Iak got stacked within his first hour when his King high straight had the displeasure of meeting up with 9-7 sooted which the donkey in seat four chased to the river and won with runner runner to make a full house. Like any good virgin it was insert and squirt and the stack was gone.

I also had the misfortunes of my first losing session after an 11 session win streak. I raised with JJ and saw a flop heads up come with J-8-2 rainbow. My opponent led into me, I re-raised and he put me all-in. I'm feeling mighty confident when my man turns over J-6 spades. Got to love the push with TP bullshit kicker but you can obviously see where this story is going. Yep runner runner spades and I lose $250 in the blink of an eye. Can't complain too much as I knew that bad beat day was coming at some point after my record high win streak. Why does it always have to be spades though?

I played for another hour or so with nothing eventful happening when suddenly I heard over the loudspeaker the brush calling off all these weird names to play some game called HORSE. Well well the bloggers had arrived to my home casino and it was time for some action. I saw where the table was and made my way over after a brief bathroom break. Now knowing or recognizing anyone I walked up to one of the tables and just introduced myself. I of course had some trepidation, in that I've only been blogging for about five months and I wasn't sure if anyone would even recognize who the fuck I was. Luckily right away Hoyazo stood up and introduced himself to me.

There was also this short haired chick in seat 9 that nobody seemed to be talking to. She didn't introduce herself to anyone and she just went about her business, well that and everyone else's business. She had this perpetual scowl, the one with the imprinted creases and linemarks on her brow, as she barked out orders at the dealer and berated the other players about their bad and in her opinion inept play. She was the one of only two people I saw that were miserable all weekend. Her and some Yankee hating dude who just so happens to be too cool for school. Oh well some people are just piss ants. Maybe I'll find her blog someday and I can try to cheer her up. Yea right.

It was then I saw Dr. Pauly make his entrance into the Poker Room. Taking his advice I promptly went up and introduced myself and to my surprise he actually knew who I was and that I lived in Vegas. Heck we even exchanged info and are planning a trek to Red Rock with Carmen and Grubby. I guess Pauly and I can play some poker while Grubby and Carmen take off in search of Mr. Cashman.

Anyway if you've never met Pauly before he's an awesome guy, really the host with the most. As I was talking with him many people approached and he made sure he introduced me to everyone. About this time Carmen showed after her shift and she got to meet Pauly also. We made our way over to the sports bar where Pauly introduced us to all of the old-school crew. We met Change 100, Derek, Joe Speaker, Al Can't Hang, F-Train, Tokyo James, Donkey Puncher, Veneno and finally The Blogfather himself.

Really it was awesome getting to meet the old school crew all in one swoop. Carmen was actually a little star struck, perhaps a bit giddy, particularly when Pauly and Iggy recognized her from her picture. All the old schoolers were cool as hell and they all went out of their way to make us feel welcomed and part of the whole blogger crew.

Now it was getting to be near midnite and the excitement was building beyond belief. Yes bloggers drank and played poker which I'm sure kept their minds somewhat occupied but barely below the surface a sort of excitement brewed. Apparently the flight had been delayed certainly building up the anticipated arrival.

There was one question asked by Iggy to everyone he met and that was, "Which blogger do you most want to meet in person?" He asked me that question almost immediately and when I gave him my answer he laughed his ass off. He told me my answer was the same answer given to him at least 80% of the time. Yes, the bloggers whose flight was delayed was the same blogger whose arrival was causing all the murmurs in the crowd, and yes the same blogger who was the answer to Iggy's question. Alright boys and girls who was it we were all waiting for? Of course you know the answer to this, none other than:

WAFFLES!

Waffles called me right after he checked into his room and announced he was on his way to the Poker Room. You must understand a Waffles sighting is probably more rare than an Iggy picture, and in fact the only blogger to have ever previously seen Waffles was Pauly himself and sure enough as Waffles found his way over to Table 15 he was instantly recognized by Pauly.

"Waffles," Pauly cried and it was on. The 2006 WPBT Summer Classic's feature guest was in the house. I got a quick hug from the legend and Carmen was lucky enough to get a photo-op rubbing the freshly clipped head for good luck before Pauly whisked him away to the Sports Book Bar to introduce him to all of the old school.

About that time I finally got called to the Horse table where I spend an hour donking off chips and chatting it up with Hoyazo. Whoever said to learn as many games as possible is off their rocker. Omaha, and Razz are horrible games, and Stud is only played by the Rooster and anyone over 80. I even discovered I'm a complete donkey at Limit Hold'em so good thing No Limit is here to stay baby because none of the other games even come close.

It was nearing 2am and knowing I had an early morning wake-up call for the WBPT Main Event it was time for me to be on my way. I stopped by for a few minutes and watched Carmen and Waffles seated side-by-side at the 1/2 NL table trying to make a few bucks so they could free roll in the morning. I'm not certain who was more excited to be sitting side-by-side but they both had the big grins and seemed to be enjoying their time together.

That my friends new and old is the Day One wrap-up from my eyes. Saturday's Main Event and Sunday's Day of Bliss from the Red Rock will follow soon enough.

Again I can't say enough how awesome the weekend was and hopefully those who didn't make it can start planning again for December. I truly believe I forged some very tight friendships this weekend, ones that will last a life time, and now I definitely know what all the old school was talking about when they said it's all about the people.

Before I even sat down at the table I said hello to all of the people I already knew, and asked to be introduced to the people that I had never met. I asked one of the other players to do that for me before I got a seat in the game.

If there were any players there at that table at the time, they will say that this is true (Donkey, Joaquin, Kampis, Alan, Hoyazo, Garth. I can't remember them all, but I think that is close).

I introduced myself to them and said hello. I tried to pass myself off as a man and as someone else, as a joke ;)

I also tried to get Glenn to switch seats with someone else so that I could meet additional bloggers who were there, and to help them out with hands.

I went out of my way to explain to one player whom I outdrew that if he would have bet into me, I'd have had no odds to outdraw him. I was trying to help him with Stud games.

Yes, I appear very serious at the tables, but that is just from years of habit, not because I was angry or scowling. I don't have the concentration or skill that I once had (before chemo), so I have to work extra hard to memorize all of the cards that are out. It used to come easily to me.

I have no idea what you mean about "yankee hating dude" either. If you are referring to Glenn, he is from upstate NY, so I'm not sure what you mean. If it is some inside joke, I'm not in on it, so I still don't know what you mean.

I think you have me completely wrong. I introduced myself to everyone at that table before being seated, as I did the other table, since I was on the list as first available.

Might have missed that one but in case the Yankee hating too cool for school dude comment was pointed my way, I don't remember being all that miserable except on Saturday when I was sporting a slight fever and guts of goo (which I wasn't even there on Friday night despite my strong wishes to the contrary). My apologies if my vibe brought you down.